salaryRent is higher than in 81% of U.S. cities. Incomes are on the low side for rents this high, so budgets feel tight. A typical house costs about 4.3 years of household income. Commutes are long, about 43.3 minutes each way.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $93,520 a year. That is $45 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of California. It is number 319 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in California City?
Share of households by yearly income. 17.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in California City
| Size | California City | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $494 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,148 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,929 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,568 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is California City overall?
Everyday prices in California overall are 11% above the U.S. average (index 110.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for California City, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in California City
Life in California City
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in California City?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $409 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $278,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $27,800 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in California City, CA?
Renting in California City costs a median of about $2,338 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in California City?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $93,520 a year, or $45 an hour at a full-time job.
Is California City cheap or expensive?
California City is rated Expensive: rent takes 43.3% of the typical household income of $64,832. It ranks 319th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in California City?
The median homeowner in California City pays $2,027 a year in property taxes, about 0.73% of the median home value.
Is California City more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in California are 11% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in California City?
The median home value in California City is $278,000, about 4.3 times the typical yearly household income.
14,414 people live in California City. Numbers are typical (middle) values.